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Wait and see on mayor, says Boris | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Boris Johnson has urged people to "wait and see" over reports he wants to be the Tory candidate for London mayor. | |
The Henley MP, who has until Monday to decide whether to join the list of Tory hopefuls, said "it won't be long now" before he made an announcement. | |
The Daily Telegraph earlier said he had spoken to Tory leader David Cameron about the possibility. | |
Mr Johnson said: "I don't want to cast any aspersions on my own great paper but it wouldn't be the first flyer." | |
He has the weekend to agonise over his next move before the deadline closes for Tory mayoral hopefuls. | |
'Honoured' | 'Honoured' |
Speaking last week, Mr Johnson said he was "definitely not a candidate" for next year's election, citing the "logistical difficulties" of his position as an MP. | |
But he added that he was "honoured to be thought of in this context" and that it would be a "fantastic job". | But he added that he was "honoured to be thought of in this context" and that it would be a "fantastic job". |
Mr Johnson is one of the best-known Tory MPs, because of his frequent television appearances. | |
A Conservative Party spokeswoman described reports of his joining the mayoral race as "speculative". | A Conservative Party spokeswoman described reports of his joining the mayoral race as "speculative". |
An announcement that Mr Johnson intended to run was posted on his weblog on Friday morning, but was removed a few minutes later as it was not "official". | |
Mr Cameron previously tried to persuade former BBC director general Greg Dyke to run as an independent candidate with Tory and Lib Dem backing, but this was ruled out. | Mr Cameron previously tried to persuade former BBC director general Greg Dyke to run as an independent candidate with Tory and Lib Dem backing, but this was ruled out. |
He also explored the possibility of former CBI chief Digby Jones, now a Labour trade minister, becoming a Conservative mayoral candidate, it emerged last week. | He also explored the possibility of former CBI chief Digby Jones, now a Labour trade minister, becoming a Conservative mayoral candidate, it emerged last week. |
The Conservatives have reportedly been turned down by several other potential high-profile candidates including London Olympics supremo Lord Coe, radio presenter Nick Ferrari and former Metropolitan Police chief Lord Stevens. | The Conservatives have reportedly been turned down by several other potential high-profile candidates including London Olympics supremo Lord Coe, radio presenter Nick Ferrari and former Metropolitan Police chief Lord Stevens. |
In April the party set out a five-month timetable to find a candidate - shortlisting applicants to go on to an "open primary" - with all Londoners on the electoral roll being allowed to vote. | In April the party set out a five-month timetable to find a candidate - shortlisting applicants to go on to an "open primary" - with all Londoners on the electoral roll being allowed to vote. |
The deadline for applications is next Monday, with a shortlist drawn up by 3 August. | The deadline for applications is next Monday, with a shortlist drawn up by 3 August. |
After a series of hustings, the primary will be held, closing on 26 September. | After a series of hustings, the primary will be held, closing on 26 September. |
The winner will be announced at the Tory conference in September. | The winner will be announced at the Tory conference in September. |
Mr Johnson is the shadow higher education minister and was previously editor of the Spectator magazine. | Mr Johnson is the shadow higher education minister and was previously editor of the Spectator magazine. |
Mr Livingstone has been London mayor since 2000. | Mr Livingstone has been London mayor since 2000. |